Friday 12 September 2014

Mocona Falls, Argentina


Everyone knows the most popular waterfall in Argentina which is Iguazu Falls. But very few peoples know about Moconá Falls take the crown for the most unique waterfall in Argentina. Moconá falls is also recognized as Yucuma Falls, and it is located in the Uruguay River, in the province of Misiones, in Argentina, 337 kilometers from the city of Posadas and 322 kilometers from Iguazu Falls. Moconá fall does not follow the normal downward and forward trajectory that most waterfalls do. 

In its place, it runs along the length of the river with water spilling off the side into a gorge.  This is about three kilometers long waterfall and probably the only waterfalls in the world to run parallel to the river rather than perpendicular. The name Moconá means “To Swallow Everything” in the Guarani language and is used mostly in Argentina. Yucuma means “the big fall” and is popular in Brazil.

The Uruguay River acts as a natural border between Brazil and Argentina, and this exclusive geological feature is shared by both countries. A strange feature of the Uruguay River is the presence of a submerged canyon or trench at the bottom of the river channel.  This is well believed that the canyon have formed during the Ice Age, when the climate was drier and the river was narrower is up to 100 meters deep and 15 to 30% of the width of the river. The canyon is only visible in two places, one of which is the Moconá Falls.

Normally waterfalls itself is not visible for 150 days a year. During some time, the falls become more like rapids. When water level becomes low and falls below the edge of the canyon, it begins spilling into the now exposed canyon, and formed in Moconá Falls. The height of waterfall varies from five to seven meters, mainly depending on the volume of the water dragged by the Uruguay River. Therefore the width of waterfall also varies entirely depends upon volume of water ranging between 1,800 meters and 3,000 meters wide.

The most importantly the area where the Moconá falls are located is considered a Provincial Park which includes the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve. Myriad lodges have been settled down in the area which provides accommodation for visitors in search of water activities such as rubber boat rafting, canoe outings, kayaking and safaris along the river and creeks around this wetland. Source: Charismatic Planet


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